Canadian Expedition XJ

[DrMoab]

This was one of the big reasons I decided to go with the airflow instead of a Safari snorkel.

This is how its routed on mine.

You can do the same thing by cutting off the elbow where it turns forward on an ARB snorkel and run it straight through the body like mine. I bought that Airflow used and it didn't come with the connection to the airbox so I just built my own out of a 3 inch PVC 45* elbow and epoxied it into the back of the airbox. This way you can keep the factory washer bottle which IMO is a much much better unit.

 

[The Adam Blaster]

Dr.Moab, where were you about 6 years ago???

I like that setup a lot, way cleaner and overall MUCH less of a run in terms of channeling the air through a much shorter amount of tubing to get it to the airbox, and into the engine.

 

[DrMoab]

Dr.Moab, where were you about 6 years ago???

Six years ago I was right with you and that damn tube running through my fender. LOL.

On my older Jeep I had a Safari snorkel. I still like the look of them better than the airflow but I really like the hose just running into the back of the box like that.

 

[The Adam Blaster]

I was just thinking that Safari MUST make them that way to get around parts that are reversed on those RHD Aussie versions, but I can't think of what components would be in the way?

 

[DrMoab]

Actually I think the reason is that the 96 and older Jeeps didn't have the washer bottle in the fender. On them it wasn't such a huge deal to run it the way they do. In fact its a lot less cutting. Getting through that inner fender is kind of a pain.

When they came out with the new style of Jeep it was just easier to include a new bottle instead of changing the design.

Just a heads up for anyone buying a new ARB snorkel...you can buy one for a 96 or older and set it up this way. The cost is $60-100 cheaper and the only thing you lose is that crappy washer bottle.

 

[The Adam Blaster]

Just a heads up for anyone buying a new ARB snorkel...you can buy one for a 96 or older and set it up this way. The cost is $60-100 cheaper and the only thing you lose is that crappy washer bottle.

It is ridiculously small...

















That's what she said!

 

[baca327]

Actually I think the reason is that the 96 and older Jeeps didn't have the washer bottle in the fender. On them it wasn't such a huge deal to run it the way they do. In fact its a lot less cutting. Getting through that inner fender is kind of a pain.

When they came out with the new style of Jeep it was just easier to include a new bottle instead of changing the design.

Just a heads up for anyone buying a new ARB snorkel...you can buy one for a 96 or older and set it up this way. The cost is $60-100 cheaper and the only thing you lose is that crappy washer bottle.

Almost 150 cheaper, thanks you just saved me a few bucks.

 

[DrMoab]

Just remember that if you go that route you will be cutting the end off of a ridiculously expensive new part to make it work. That makes some people shudder a bit.

 

[Canadian Moose]

Thanks for all the comments guys!

I'm surprised you took the fender off when you drilled the 3.5" hole for the snorkel, I didn't bother doing that with mine...
And a suggestion -- after being on for a couple of years, the flexible corrugated rubber hose got very brittle, and I tore it when I was trying to reposition it.
I think if you wrapped it with something, tape, foam insulation, SOMETHING to prevent it being hit with dirt and rocks etc. as well as deflect the heat from the engine, it might last a lot longer.

The other great thing about that part, to get a replacement it would have to come from Australia as they don't stock them as a replacement part anywhere in N. America as I found out from making a bunch of calls and emails to different retailers all over Canada and the U.S.
And to buy a replacement hose, it was like 200 bucks and was going to be a month or two before it came in.
Right now I have the foil dryer hose on mine. It's definitely not watertight, nor very durable. My front axle is in need of replacement parts, so I'm not hitting any trails any time soon.
I think I'll look into some heat resistant hydraulic hose as a replacement this summer...

I took the fender off because I was planning on replacing it. Even had one all painted up. But... It was a bit too dark so I just decided to straighten out the original one a bit better. The fender was not very hard to remove. I needed it off also to remove the washer bottle and to seal the hose properly to the plastic snorkel part.
While the hose was not brittle, mine did have some damage to the lower portion. I rtv the area and wrapped it with ductape. I will keep an eye on it. That is insane 200$ for the hose!
My next question was are you coming out next weekend.... What sort of parts do you need for your axle? I have a couple d30s laying around....

 

[Canadian Moose]

This was one of the big reasons I decided to go with the airflow instead of a Safari snorkel.

This is how its routed on mine.

You can do the same thing by cutting off the elbow where it turns forward on an ARB snorkel and run it straight through the body like mine. I bought that Airflow used and it didn't come with the connection to the airbox so I just built my own out of a 3 inch PVC 45* elbow and epoxied it into the back of the airbox. This way you can keep the factory washer bottle which IMO is a much much better unit.

Yes I agree with you DrMoab. I think the airflow one is a better unit. However, I got the flares and snorkel from a friend for cheap :victory: I cant be picky.

I was considering cutting off the elbow but figured there wouldnt be enough left to make a proper seal. I bought an after market washer bottle. If it ever craps out I have several extra motors. Yes it is probably half the size but I rarely use my washer spray.
Thanks for the comments!

 

[Canadian Moose]

it is ridiculously small...

















that's what she said!

haha

 

[Canadian Moose]

Day 26

Day 26 Roof basket makeover....

When I was around 13 years old I first tried welding. It was with a stick welder and the old style welding masks. I wasnt a very enjoyable experience and I kept forgetting to close the tint on the mask. Since then I have avoided welding. Now, some 10 years later I have decided to start again. I have a Miller 240V MIG with gas and a auto darkening mask. While there still is quite the learning curve. I was able to get a some decent welds by the end of the day.

I added some light tabs for the rear of the basket. As well as shovel and highlift tabs on both sides.

Big thanks to Phil for help with the welding off the start!

 

[DrMoab]

I actually think the Safari snorkel is a better snorkel. I just like the way the Airflow hooks up to the airbox. The Safari snorkel hugs the body so much better and looks much much cleaner installed IMO.

 

[The Adam Blaster]

My next question was are you coming out next weekend.... What sort of parts do you need for your axle? I have a couple d30s laying around....

I have some prior commitments that would prevent me from hitting the trails next weekend, however:

I'm pretty bummed about it to be honest, but after having it back together and road worthy for almost 2 months, I have yet to take it on any trails. I've had some issues with a number of bugs, mostly around the steering, and the last time it was at Beartrax, they mentioned the gears in the front diff. were starting to go.
So, I didn't want to risk REALLY ending up dead on a trail, within the city on asphalt would have been ok, could have just gotten it towed to the shop.
But then, about a week ago a very friendly (I'm being sarcastic here) police officer "put me in the system" because of my lack of fender flares and the 33's do stick way the hell out there. lol
So, it's parked right now as I don't want a $172.00 ticket for each corner, one for each infraction!!!
I do have a line on a set of axles, D30 and 8.25 with 4.56's, which is the gearing that I want. I'm thinking about going this route over getting Beartrax to install the 4.56's based on cost. The labour for gear swaps is pretty huge, and buying a 2nd set of axles means I would have something to sell to offset the cost. Speaking of which, if this goes through, I'll have 2 extra Detroit lockers to sell, one for each axle.

Ok, thread hijack off.

 

[Root Moose]

If you take the Detroits out of the axles you are planning on buying you will have to pay someone to set up the gears again on whatever new carrier you install...